Provide support for sub-sea construction, inspection and maintenance projects in both oil and gas production and renewable "green" energy sectors.

‍Required Qualifications:

- UK Waters: HSE Surface Supplied Top-Up or an equivalent qualification recognised by the HSE

- International Waters: HSE Surface Supplied Top-Up or qualification recognised by IMCA

‍Pay and Conditions in the North Sea:
The North Sea adheres to controlled pay rates established under the Offshore Diving Industry Agreement (ODIA). This collective agreement, in place since the early 1980s, is negotiated every three years between seven diving contractors and the RMT trade union. It sets minimum pay rates, allowances and health/injury insurance for diving personnel in the UK North Sea.

Many non-ODIA companies also align closely with the agreement, resulting in pay rates for air divers on offshore projects around UK waters averaging approximately GBP£600 per day; subject to client negotiations.

‍International Pay and Conditions:
Offshore pay rates and terms vary significantly worldwide. On average, a UK-qualified air diver working in international offshore regions earned approximately USD $350–$550 per day in 2018, depending on location and conditions.‍

‍ Typical Work Rotations:

- North Sea: Up to 28 days offshore with 12-hour shifts

- International: 50 - 90 days offshore with 12-hour shifts

- Qualification Required UK Waters: HSE Surface Supplied or a ‘recognised’ equivalent qualification.

- Many inshore divers will start out as self-employed freelancers although a few may be taken on as permanent staff with diving companies once they have established themselves.

- Hours of work are typically 10-12 hours a day and depending on the proximity of the dive site to the diver’s hometown may require the team to be away from home throughout the working week or in some cases for the duration of the project .Expenses such as travel, food and hotel bills are normally met by the company.

Salaries in the inshore sector vary considerably depending on the company, the type of contract and the experience of individual divers, however the following can be used as an approximate guide for a diver working regularly with an inshore company:

- Aquaculture industry: GBP £30k – £35k per annum

- Marine construction/maintenance: GBP £35k – £55k per annum

- Renewable energy projects: GBP £80k – £100k per annum

- Despite being inside the UK’s 12-mile limit –  technically classed as inland/inshore – many offshore wind farm diving projects are conducted under the HSE offshore ‘Approved Code of Practice’  (ACOP) which means that divers will require an offshore diving certificate.   Salaries for divers working regularly on offshore wind projects can exceed £100k per annum. Offshore Certificates Required: HSE Surface Supplied Top-Up or ‘recognised’ national qualification, Global Wind Organisation (GWO) Safety Course Package.

Inshore work is very diverse and covers everything associated with construction, demolition, remedial works, salvage and inspection. More recently working with renewable energy companies who specialise in areas such as offshore wind and wave generators, have allowed many inshore divers to gain well paid employment on contracts that still fall under the inshore diving regulations.

The job can often mean long days and hard work, but it can be extremely satisfying to be part of team who must trust and rely on each other, all year round. Because of our connection with the diving industry through our ADC registered sister company, Shearwater Marine Services, the training you receive here at the PDA closely simulates the working environment mind-set that you will need to be a success.

We also ensure that many of the hydraulic and pneumatic tools that you are likely to use in the commercial world, are used during training in a realistic, safe manner and most importantly under work type conditions.

- Qualifications required: HSE Surface Supplied Diver, HSE Wet Bell/Top up and Closed Bell Diver

To get to this stage, divers must meet the prerequisites as set by the HSE before attending a saturation diving course. The course is a significant investment at approx GBP £20,000, so it is worth ensuring that satisfactory experience has been attained before committing. The mixed gas/closed bell diving course is generally 3 weeks long at an IMCA approved training school. In the North Sea, the time in saturation (including decompression) is limited to 28 days. A typical crew consists of three teams of 2 or 3 divers on a 24-hour rotation of 8-hour shifts.

Each shift includes six hours of work time at the dive site and 2 hours for transfer from chamber to bell to dive site and back again. Salaries in this sector are wildly variable and most divers are self-employed. Saturation divers working in the North Sea benefit from the ODIA/RMT pay rate agreement and as such can expect to earn over GBP £1,900 per day.

In other parts of the rates and conditions vary considerably and are sometimes very much dependant on nationality. An overall average for a saturation diver working in offshore regions across the world in 2014 would be approx. US $1200 – $1500 per day.

An Inland Air Diving Supervisor is typically an experienced and certified air diver who has been appointed by their company after a thorough evaluation of their knowledge and leadership abilities. The UK’s Association of Diving Contractors (ADC) has established an examination programme designed to assess these leadership skills alongside critical competencies such as risk management, emergency procedures and regulatory compliance. Increasingly, many client companies mandate that inshore diving supervisors hold this qualification as a minimum requirement before permitting diving operations to begin.

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is the leading global trade organisation for commercial diving and associated marine operations. To qualify as a supervisor in an offshore environment, individuals must obtain an IMCA certification or an equivalent, such as the Association of Offshore Diving Contractors (AODC) certification.

Experienced divers can advance to the role of Trainee Diving Supervisor through a structured certification program for offshore diving supervision. This program outlines specific minimum requirements, including substantial diving experience, foundational theoretical training, supervised practical offshore experience and a multiple-choice theory examination as well as a program for continuous personal development. The examinations encompass mandatory modules on air diving and mixed gas (bell) diving supervision. Additionally, candidates may opt to take regional legislation modules tailored to the areas where they intend to work, with current options including the UK and Norway.

 Supervisors are also responsible for mentoring trainee divers by sharing insights and knowledge gained from their professional experience. Above all, ensuring the safety of divers remains the Supervisor's primary responsibility.

As a diver, it’s important to consider what unique skills and value you bring to the industry. While diving itself can be taught, your success in the field depends on how well you contribute at the job site. Ask yourself: What practical skills do you bring to the table? Are you a problem solver? Handy and resourceful? Do you have prior experience in construction or working on a building site? Are you certified in specific trades, such as rigging? Can you maintain effective working relationships in an often-high pressure environment? Do you have strong interpersonal skills?

These attributes can set you apart and make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

Here are some topside skills that could make a difference in securing a job over other divers:

- Engineering Qualifications

- Mechanical or Electrical Skills

- Diver Medic Technician Certification

- Military Background

- Rigger/Slinger Certification

- Crane Banksman Certification

- Construction Site Experience

- Welder/Fabricator Skills

- RYA Powerboat Certificate (for Safety Boat Duties)

- Diving Helmet/Band-Mask Maintenance Training

Keep in mind, diving is only part of the job. Much of your time on a worksite will be spent on tasks like preparing equipment, ensuring it is safe for use, rigging loads for underwater operations and continuously evaluating how to complete the work safely and efficiently. Developing these complementary skills can greatly enhance your employability and effectiveness in the field.

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Offshore Certificates Required:

- Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET)

- Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST)

- Offshore Safety Passport (OSP) – Some Far East Projects